Closings

Severe Weather

High court denies appeal in smothering case

Published On: Apr 07 2013 06:10:36 AM CDT

The Iowa Supreme Court has denied the appeal of an eastern Iowa man who smothered his wife in 2010 during an argument.

Cedar Rapids television station KCRG-TV reports that the state's high court on Friday rejected James Blum's argument that the Iowa Court of Appeals should have found that his trial lawyer was ineffective.

Blum told police that he held Patricia Blum's face down against a cushion until she died and should've let her up but didn't because he was so angry. Police say he attacked his wife after she told him she backed a car into their garage door.

Blum is serving a 50-year prison term. He's now 73.

Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Comments

The views expressed are not those of this site, this station or its affiliated companies. By posting your comments you agree to accept our terms of use.

Forty years ago, one of the greatest boxing matches in history took place in an unlikely setting: the capital of the Philippines. Muhammad Ali's epic win over great rival Joe Frazier in 1975 became known as the "Thrilla in Manila."